Alabama Athletics

Dolphins have first-overall pick in latest Tankathon Mock Draft

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Tankathon is our new friend.

“Finally, the Dolphins, have come back, to the top of the draft order”

We are officially a quarter of the way through the 2019 NFL season, and the Miami Dolphins have finally landed at the top of the 2020 draft order.  Their recent loss to the Los Angeles Chargers dropped them 0-4 on the season.  Which means, they have their pick of the litter when it comes to the highly coveted 2020 QB class.

According to Tankathon’s latest mock draft, Miami finally gets the QB they covet – selecting Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa with the first-overall pick.  In 2019, Tagovailoa has thrown for 1,738 yards and 23 touchdowns with a staggering 0 interceptions.  He’s good.  Very good. However, if you’d like to follow the other QBs in this year’s class, you can find our tracker HERE. Thanks Tankathon!

(Editor’s note: If you’d like to support the Dolphins race for Tua Tagovailoa, we have the perfect shirt for you!)

But that’s not the only pick Miami has in the first-round.  After all, they will head into April’s draft with a war chest of draft picks, including three first-round picks.  Based on Tankathon’s updated draft order, Miami also has pick #6 and #25.

Aside from Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins also select Iowa pass-rusher A.J Epenesa and Florida CB C.J Henderson.

Truth is, there’s still a ton of football to be played, and no one knows how things will shape up between now and next April.  But what we do know, is that the Dolphins have the chance to jump-start their rebuild, by acquiring talented players in the first-round.  Miami isn’t one player away.  Which is why the Dolphins’ front office thought it was necessary to stockpile draft picks.

In the end, no one knows how the draft order will shape up.  We also don’t know how Chris Grier and the rest of the Dolphins’ organization view this year’s class.  But what we do know is that if Miami wants to land a once in a generation passer, they will need to continue down their current path.  After all, they are on pace to be the worst team in NFL history.  Which means everything is going EXACTLY as planned.

#TankForTua

 

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and has fallen in love with  Tua Tagovailoa.

Charles Harris

Dolphins’ pass-rushers hungry for more

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As many expected, the Miami Dolphins fell to the Los Angeles Chargers 30-10 at home on Sunday.  And despite looking like the better team for the better part of the first half, the team reverted back to their old ways at halftime.  But it wasn’t all doom and gloom on this day. One player in particular that stood out, was Dolphins’ pass-rusher Taco Charlton.

Charlton, the former 28th-overall pick of the 2017 draft, was claimed off of waivers two weeks ago after being released by Dallas. On Sunday, he recorded his second sack of the young 2019 season, putting him atop the team leader-board for sacks in 2019.

After the game, Charlton had this to say about his team’s ability to get some pressure on Chargers’ QB Phillip Rivers.

‘We got some but Iike I said, I’m never satisfied. I want more. It’s not enough. Like I said, we’ve got to help each other out. The d-line, we’ve got to put pressure to help that secondary out and vice versa. I think it’s something for us to build off of. Keep working and get back to work and like I said, get ready after this bye week to get a win.”

He was then asked his thoughts about the final score, and the displeasure he showed as he walked off the field.

 “It’s never satisfying.  I’m a competitor, so I like to win. Just having that feeling, I just hate seeing us lose, especially when I feel like we could have done some things that could have changed the outcome. It’s something for us to build off of and come back after this bye week ready to go. ”

Another former first-round pick that the Dolphins had high hopes for in 2019, is pass-rusher Charles Harris.  Harris was selected six spots ahead of Charlton in the 2017 draft. Unfortunately, his career hasn’t lived up to his high expectations.  In fact, Charlton is one sack away from tying Harris total over his first three seasons in Miami.

When asked what he thought about Miami’s pass rush on Sunday, Harris had this to say.

“I think we definitely did a good job of caging him in. He’s a great quarterback, so we have to do a better job of hitting him more and more. He’s a tough guy. He got a couple passes out there. We just have to keep on him.”

Harris was then asked what the tone in the locker room is after starting the season 0-4.

“Back to work. That’s the number one thing. Training follows wherever the leader goes. I think (Head) Coach ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) isn’t giving up in terms of us working hard and getting back to the basics, correcting and things like that. I think right now it’s just hard work. I think everyone knows we have to come back in tomorrow, make the corrections, and get back to the grind. Enjoy the bye week and come back and come back to work.”

The Dolphins will now have 13 days to correct their mistakes, before taking on the Washington Redskins–in what many are calling the “Tua Bowl”.

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins. He loves to put sriracha & cilantro on his Taco Charlton.

 

Miami Dolphins now 0-4, outscored 81-0 in second half

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There’s only so long the dam can hold. Right, Miami?

We’ve now seen that two straight weeks with the Miami Dolphins, as they were competitive in Sunday’s first half against the depleted Los Angeles Chargers — just as they were frisky in last Sunday’s first half in Dallas against the Cowboys — only to collapse again in the second.

This time, a 17-10 halftime deficit became a 30-10 loss, dropping Miami’s record to 0-4.

Here’s a recap, from myself and Craig Davis of @DolphinMaven…

A couple of statistics stand out…

Miami has now been outscored 81-0 in the second half of its first four games.

Yes, 81-0.

And opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating over 130, after Philip Rivers topped that number Sunday.

The players didn’t have much to say in the locker room, but here was some of the best of it…

DeVante Parker, who had the only touchdown, just the Dolphins’ second of the season as they enter the bye…

Relative newcomer Taco Charlton, who had a sack…

And Kenyan Drake, who had only nine carries, and doesn’t seem long for this place…

Next up?

A week off.

Then similarly 0-4 Washington.

And this is an absolute must-loss. Yes, the Redskins just took Dwayne Haskins, but if they pick first, they can flip the pick to a team that wants to jump the Dolphins. Or could hold out for a huge package from Chris Grier and Miami.

After all, we know what this is about…

After Tua Tagovailoa threw seven (seven!) touchdowns for Alabama against Ole Miss on Saturday, with Grier on hand to watch, it’s apparent that every effort will be made to secure the future star. Even if quarterback, with Josh Rosen playing reasonably well, doesn’t appear to be the Dolphins’ biggest weakness.

Can the Dolphins finally come within two touchdowns?

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The Dolphins are making progress, at least in one way: they are losing by less touchdowns.

Yes, they’re an enormous underdog again Sunday, after losing their first three games by a historically lopsided combined score by a 133-16, scoring 10 fewer points in three contests than Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has scored in any one game in his career.

And of course, they’ve been setting records when it comes to point spreads. They were 20-plus-point underdogs in Weeks 2 and 3, and still lost ATS (against the spread) both times. Back home to face the Chargers in Week 4, oddsmakers have the Fins as mere 16.5-point underdogs at some sites (16 at others). Odds on each sportsbooks may be a little different but, according to Sports Betting Dime, there are a few that consistently rank at the top of the list.

If luck is on your side, a straight-up Miami win will pay out at about +700 on average so shop and compare a few of the listed sites before you go chasing after that payout.

Expect even more money to come in on the Chargers late in the game, now that this has happened:

Also, while the Chargers fans don’t travel particularly well — most of their old San Diego fans don’t even go up the 405 to Los Angeles — it’s likely that many Dolphins fans will stay home Sunday. It’s Josh Rosen’s first home start, and maybe that has some appeal. But this entire process is painful, and it’s not clear Rosen is even part of the future anyway.

Who wants to watch your team get bludgeoned week after week?

The good news — or bad news if you’re in favor of the tank — is that the Dolphins schedule loosens up considerably after the bye. The Bengals, the Jets, the Giants. There are wins to be had, maybe, if the Dolphins even want them.

But for now, you can make this exercise more interesting by betting for the Dolphins to come within a couple of touchdowns.

Or not.

Reshad Jones

Dolphins safety Reshad Jones intends to stay for the long haul

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Tanking has a negative effect on players in the locker room. Frustration quickly sets in. That eventually leads to players wanting to find new homes, which has clearly happened to the Miami Dolphins this season. Minkah Fitzpatrick made it a point to express his desire to leave, and he was traded to Pittsburgh for a first round pick. Its understandable, given his winning background. Losing on purpose goes against everything he stands for. His argument was regarding his position, but he doesn’t seem to mind being versatile for the Steelers, leaving the losing as a likely cause for wanting out. But what of safety Reshad Jones?

Jones is a common name when discussing trade bait. He infamously “quit” on the team during a matchup against the New York Jets last season, giving credence to the theory he wanted to be traded. However, Jones insists that Miami is where he wants to be.

“I love my home. I’ve been here 10 years. It’s home for me.” He said on Wednesday. “I love the guys in this locker room. I just love South Florida … If I wanted out, I had a chance to make that known. I’m here for the long haul. Like I said, I’m here to help this team win football games.”

There’s no doubt he knows that winning isn’t something Miami will be doing a lot of – if at all – in 2019. Reshad Jones is currently 31 years old, and counts for over $17 million against the salary cap this season. He counts for over $15 million in 2020, and then $14 million in 2021. The best way for the Dolphins to move on from him next season would be to designate him as a post-June 1st cut. It’s possible his desire to stay stems from the fact he won’t make as much money on the open market. Financially, his best interest is to stay with the Dolphins.

Durability is also a problem for Jones. He played a few snaps against the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener, 32 out of 72 snaps on defense, then was sidelined with an ankle injury. He now appears ready to get back on field.

Reshad Jones is still a very good player when he’s healthy. Is he a part of Miami’s future? That remains to be seen. The youth movement the Dolphins are pushing is strong. Jones is one of the oldest players on the team now. But if nothing else, it’s encouraging to hear Jones wants to stay with the Dolphins. He’s a fan favorite, and a playmaker on defense. Additionally, Miami needs some veteran voices in the locker room for the influx of young players.

If he can show he’s still got what it takes to be a top safety in the league, his desire to stay has a decent chance of being fulfilled.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Tua Tagovailoa

Simon Clancy’s exclusive with Tua Tagovailoa

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Everyone wants a piece of Alabama elite quarterback Tua Tagovailoa right now.

Simon Clancy, who is a host of our Three Yards Per Carry while also working in England for Gridiron magazine and other outlets, did something that Alabama opponents haven’t done at all this season:

He corralled the slippery, skilled signalcaller.

Clancy conducted an exclusive interview for Gridiron — and we will run excerpts here when we have them.

But what follows are some highlights he tweeted:

 

If you want more, make sure to listen to tonight’s new episode of Three Yards Per Carry.

They will be playing clips.

Simon’s co-hosts Alfredo Arteaga and Chris Kouffman will also appear on #305Live tonight (Wednesday) at 10:30pm with me (Ethan J. Skolnick) to discuss what the league could do to punish the Dolphins for so blatantly Tanking for Tua.

And here’s the shirt…

We’ve sold more than 500 of these already, and sent one to Josh Gad.

You know, Olaf! (and a huge Dolphins fan who needs a warm hug).

What are you waiting to get your Tank for Tua Tagovailoa t-shirt?

Get yours now!

Tankathon has Dolphins drafting twice in top-4

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We are now officially three weeks into the NFL season and according to Tankathon, the #Tankovailoa race is on!

After this weeks regular season games, there are now seven teams in the NFL without a win.  And although not all of those teams need a quarterback, there’s still plenty of competition for cant’-miss prospect Tua Tagovailoa.  After all, Tagovailoa is highly regarded as the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012.  He’s that good. However, he’s not the only QB in this year’s class that has the potential to change a NFL franchise.

You can keep track of all of this year’s QB prospects HERE

Currently, this is the way the 2020 NFL draft order looks.

Tankathon Version 3.0 Mock Draft

The last time we did one of these, the Dolphins only had two first-round draft picks.  Fortunately, Miami was able to move disgruntled DB Minkah Fitzpatrick to Pittsburgh, in exchange for what appears to be a top-10 draft pick.  Yes, it is still very early in the 2019 season, but Pittsburgh is without Ben Roethlisberger and looks to be one of the more disappointing teams in the league.

But how does this mock draft favor the Dolphins?

Personally, I don’t like Georgia QB Jake Fromm and if Miami were to miss out on Tua and Herbert, the next logical choice is Utah State QB, Jordan Love.

Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young might be the best player in the entire 2020 class.  And we know just how desperate the Dolphins are to find a generational pass-rusher.  Any offensive lineman in the first-round is a step in the right direction.

Most demoralizing of all of this, is that Adam Gase and the New York Jets out ‘tank’ the Dolphins – and end up with Tua Tagovailoa.

In the end, there’s plenty to like about Tankothon’s latest mock draft.  Just as long as Adam Gase and his googly eyes, don’t end up with the Tua Tagovailoa.

 

Jets coach Adam Gase might out-tank the Dolphins

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The Dolphins got only one thing wrong in their diabolical plan for the NFL’s greatest tank: They fired Adam Gase.

While I was the first local media member to suggest they dump the so-called quarterback whisperer — about halfway through the Dolphins’ 2018 season — I clearly didn’t account for what’s happened now. Gase, hired quickly by the rival New York Jets, is now commanding the only offense in the NFL that’s as anemic as the Dolphins’. He’s blaming everyone and everything but himself, as usual.

The media are all over him, and they’re not the softies he encountered down in South Florida, even if they also aren’t especially consistent.

Oh, and the Jets are also 0-3, using former Dolphins’ practice squaders Luke Falk and David Fales at the most critical position in sports.

Which means they could be in the running for the No. 1 overall, which could make Dolphins fans — who don’t particularly like the swarmy swami — feel very conflicted when the teams play twice this season.

The Jets do have a quarterback, Sam Darnold, though he does currently have a communicable disease. And Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler remain retired, for now.

Adam Gase and his brilliance has known no bounds…

There was also this: typical Adam Gase move… 2

 

Old friend Ray Lucas isn’t sold either.

 

Still, though you have faith in the Dolphins.

We polled this, and roughly 90 percent of you think Miami will still be worse than Gase’s guys.

Wait until the bubble screen on 4th and 23.

 

 

 

 

 

Miami Hurricanes beat (?) Central Michigan, 17-12

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What is it about this field and the Hurricanes?

After the Miami Dolphins lost their first two games at Hard Rock Stadium by a combined 102-10, the Miami Hurricanes — the team that isn’t tanking — couldn’t possibly do anything that would be more disappointing, right?

Well….

The Hurricanes needed an interception by Al Blades Jr. to beat Central Michigan, 17-12.

Now they’re 2-2. But the record isn’t the point. It’s the way they’re playing. Thirteen penalties. No push in the running game. Few sustained drives. Relying on the defense to save them, even with Jarren Williams continuing to play well.

And after the game, the players seemed oddly happy about it.

Is this where we are as a football town?

Central Michigan?

Here are the tweets of note from the game….

The Miami Hurricanes were probably the only team in Miami with a realistic shot to a National Championship before the season started. But now… Who knows. 

However. Do not sleep on them. They can still make it to a great bowl – or not -, in the first year of the Manny Diaz era. We have the most complete coverage of the team. That is for sure, guys. 

If you want it in Spanish, we can also do that. Follow our Cinco Razones guys. And enjoy… 

There are still eight more games to be played… Go Canes!

Mike Tannenbaum

Former Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum offers baffling insight

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Hindsight is always 20/20. It’s easy to look back and see what you should or should not have done in any given situation. That is a concept that every single person on this planet can relate to. This, of course, includes NFL executives. So when former Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum went on Twitter to offer insight on the NFL’s quarterback situation, some eyebrows were raised.

Obviously, stating that teams should draft a quarterback every year is ironic coming from Mike Tannenbaum. He acted as a consultant for the team during the 2014 season, and then was hired to be the team’s Executive VP of Football Operations in 2015. He was essential to the Dolphins landing Ndamukong Suh that same year. However, aside from that, Tannenbaum’s Miami tenure was filled with skepticism from fans and analysts.

This is where he dropped the above gem, regarding drafting a QB every year. However, if this is what Tannenbaum truly believes, then why did he not push harder for Miami to do the same? Even if the Dolphins truly believed Ryan Tannehill had what it takes to be a franchise quarterback, that should not have stopped them from drafting QBs if this is Tannenbaum’s philosophy.

Miami drafted only one QB during Tannenbaum’s tenure. In 2016, they selected Brandon Doughty out of Western Kentucky. He was selected in the seventh round, 223rd overall. That is not exactly a high ceiling pick.

Perhaps this adds credence to the reports that Chris Grier was ultimately in charge of drafting, and not Mike Tannenbaum. If so, hopefully Grier has learned a valuable lesson, as he’s in charge of rebuilding the Dolphins from the ground up.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung